Vans Pays Tribute to Martial Arts Legend Gerald Okamura with Cartoon Slip-On

Getting an official shoe made in your likeness is a huge honor reserved for sports legends, music stars, and cultural heavyweights. In the world of Hawaiian martial arts, not many names hold as much weight as the Man of Many Weapons, Gerald Okamura. The Hawaiian-born martial artist, stuntman, and actor has starred in over 40 different feature films dating back to the late '70s, most famously in Samurai Cop and Big Trouble in Little China. Joining the list of famous faces immortalized through sneakers, Okamura, who made a second career as a Hollywood stuntman, is teaming up with Vans on a new pair of cartoon-covered Slip-Ons.

The Vans Slip-On Okamura Legend features a cartoon panel across the face of the shoe showing Okamura riding a Japanese flag graphic surfboard on a gnarly wave while wielding a sword and slicing through the tentacles of a giant sea creature. The artwork was originally created by Steven Azar, who unfortunately passed away earlier this year, making this not only a tribute to Okamura but also to Azar. Outlining Steven’s art is a green stripe, while the collar of the shoe is done in blue along with the side panels. Keeping things classic Vans, there is a black and white checkerboard pattern on the inside lining, while the look is complete with a red outsole and heel.

Martial arts collabs are no strangers to the sneaker world, particularly when it comes to the legend Bruce Lee, whose image has been used on a handful of yellow colorways across the industry. This year, Vans got in on the martial arts energy through Jiu-Jitsu clothing brand Shoyoroll.

Limited to just 200 pairs, the Vans Slip-On Okamura Legend will be released October 30, 2025 through Vans online. Available in men’s sizing, the retail price is still TBD. For all the latest collab sneaker news and real-time alerts for when this ultra-limited project drops online, download the Sole Retriever mobile app.

Zach Harris

Zach Harris is a writer based in Philadelphia. His work has appeared in Rolling Stone, Vice, Complex, High Times, and more. He is obsessed with skateboarding and bowling. He is still looking for his first 300. For tips, reviews, and anything in size 10.5 - zach.h@soleretriever.com